Friday, November 28, 2008
There has to be a better way
The news from India is so sad - and then there's the news that a store employee was trampled to death in NY by people rushing into a store. There's nothing I can do about what happened in India (other than resolve to make my corner of the world as loving and peaceful as possible - starting with me) but I am going to rethink my gifts this year. I've never liked the whole Christmas-being-equated-with-gifts thing, but I've participated. I'm not sure where I'm going to go from here, but I'm revolted. I must vow to do something differently. I'd say I'll make all my gifts, but I know that's not true - and it still doesn't get to the heart of the problem. Maybe no gifts at all. Maybe donations to non-profits? Any ideas? There has to be a better way.
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http://www.newdream.org/
They have a lot of good ideas for ways to simplify the holidays and give more socially conscious, meaningful gifts.
I don't have the self control to follow all of their suggestions, but every year we've been trying to make more, give time rather than things, and do less "consumer-y" kinds of gifts...I can only hope we get better at it every year. Anyway...hope this helps?
Some of the favorite gifts I've recieved from friends--people donate to organizations that I love, which is nice. I had one friend who gave me a great handmade scarf and hat, which I still love. My friend Barb gave me swimming lessons, which was nice...although I still can't swim...I'm too scared of the water. Another friend gave me a really creative gift--neat recycled bottles for shampoo and conditioner, with a gift card to a local store that sells shampoo and conditioner refills in bulk--they weigh your bottle and then you fill it up and they charge you for the amount.
Talk to you soon!
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